Inca Trail
The Ultimate Guide to the Inca TrailAn Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu is among the most inspiring adventures you can have in a lifetime. The trek begins outside of the ancient city of Cusco in the Sacred Valley and ends at Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, overlooking the famous ancient ruins. The trek can be achieved in 2-day, 4-day, or 5-day increments, depending on the options you are comfortable with. Explorandes offers the 5-day option for better acclimatization and enjoyment with less exposure to crowds of fellow trekkers.
The early twentieth-century historian Hiram Bingham III has been called the real-life “Indiana Jones.” Indeed, some of the costume and mannerisms of the Indiana Jones character were derived from knowledge about Bingham. In 1911, Mr. Bingham, financed by a joint study of Yale and National Geographic, worked his way to Machu Picchu. He arrived via the Inca Trail with extensive assistance from the farmer Melchor Arteaga and other local guides. The party met “an unexpected sight, a great flight of beautifully constructed stone terraces, each hundreds of feet long and ten feet high.
This was Machu Picchu ...
And It was Explorandes, founded by Alfredo Ferreyros, that in 1975 first operated the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Motivated by his passion for mountaineering and wilderness trekking, Alfredo wanted to show others the immeasurable beauty of the Andes. His passion for the Andes inspired him to innovate trekking routes to Machu Picchu and the lesser known Choquequirao. Trekkers literally step in the footsteps of the Incas when hiking to the unforgettable Machu Picchu along the Inca Trail.
How long is the Inca Trail?
The original Andean road system, known as Capac Ñan, covered 40,000 km. and stretched from Colombia to Argentina. It traversed ecosystems ranging from snow-capped Andean summits to the Pacific coast. It wound through some of Earth’s most varied terrain of barren deserts, fertile valleys, and steamy jungles. It took several hundred years to build this vast network of roads which facilitated trade, communication, and defense for the Inca’s territories. Based on four major routes having their origin in Cusco, the Inca capital, the Capac Ñan is a unique achievement of engineering
Some sections of the road system were constructed by the Wari and Tiwanaku, who predated the Inca. They were appropriated and improved upon by the Inca conquerors. Later, sections of this enormous network fell into disuse with the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. They maintained the portions of the Inca road system that supported their requirements. They removed megatons of gold, silver, and other resources to the coast for shipment to Spain via the Capac Ñan.
Today’s Inca Trail trek covers the 42-km section of the original road that leads from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu. Explorandes’ version of the trek begins at Km 88 rather than the usual Km 82. This sets the stage for the rest of the journey: enjoying a relatively private, remote hike, avoiding crowds. It takes five days to complete Explorandes’ version of the Inca Trail trek.
What level of difficulty can I expect on the trek?
Considered a moderate degree of difficulty, an important point to note when considering this trek is acclimatization. Acclimatization of two to several days at altitude helps the body tolerate the changes experienced on the trek. Folks accustomed to trekking at sea level may have trouble with similar exertion at higher altitudes. Therefore, the importance of acclimatization cannot be over-emphasized. Aside from the altitude’s effects on the body, those in reasonable physical shape should have few problems.
A word about capability: folks of all fitness levels can complete the trek, with a minimum age of around 8. The maximum age dependa on your level of fitness. The oldest person to complete the trek so far was 78 years of age. However, there are no hard and fast rules for maximum age. Rather, ability to complete the trek is based on an individual’s self- assessment and of course, your physician’s recommendations.
Some of the most challenging moments of the trek will be:
On the second or third day, the highest point, Dead Woman’s Pass, at 4215 meters (13,828 feet) is reached. This is the steepest climb on the trek and is followed by a descending series of high stone stairs. This descent can put a bit of a strain on the knees.
The hardest descending stretch is probably the fourth day’s descent over 3,650 feet of stones laid by the Incas. This again may be challenging for those with knee issues.
Explorandes provides a relatively easy first day at under 10 km. to allow acclimatization to occur. The first and second days are spent trekking while getting accustomed to high altitude. Having spent a few days at similar heights in the Sacred Valley should help with any breathing and altitude-related difficulties. If you are in moderately decent shape, the Inca Trail should not generally present major issues.
Inca Trail Permits
Due to the need to protect it from erosion, overcrowding, and environmental damage, permits are required to hike the “Capac Ñan.” They are supplied by the Peruvian government exclusively to licensed Inca Trail tour operators. The system allows a limited number of visitors to access the trail. Every person on the trail, hikers, guides, and assistants alike must have a permit to get on the trail. The permits must be purchased in advance, as they sell out quickly, especially for dates between May and August.
The permit system began in 2000 when it was determined that the substantial annual increase in traffic posed a threat. Trash, erosion, and crowding were some of the issues that arose as the area became more popular.
There are only 500 daily permits available: 300 for guides, porters, and staff, and 200 for trekkers. Permits should be reserved 3 to 6 months in advance to make sure to secure a spot. A limited list of companies can obtain permits, (see list of recommended operators below.)
The trail is closed in February for maintenance. The reservation system for permits opens in October for bookings for the following year. They sell out quickly due to high demand. For example, in January, May permits are already selling out, followed consecutively by June, July, etc. It is very important to find out if there are permits for your desired dates before paying a tour operator.
The less requested and highly recommended months of April and November (beginning and end of season) are more easily obtained. They also offer the advantage of fewer fellow trekkers if you can make those times work for you. These months should be relatively dry, as the rainy season ends in March and begins again in December.
When is the best time to do the trek?
The trail is closed in February for maintenance and is available for booking every other month. However, the most highly recommended months are April through December (note that the rains could potentially start in December.) Rainy season normally begins around the end of December or beginning of January and ends sometime in March. This is all subject to change of course, as the effects of climate change become increasingly noticeable on our planet. April and November have the fewest bookings, so we recommend choosing dates in either month, if convenient.
What should I consider when booking an Inca trail operator?
- Check the prices. You can find less expensive tour companies who operate the Capac Ñan, however, camp staff will be paid lower wages. As responsible people who have an influence on the market, it is important to question prices vis-á-vis policies. It is likely that super low prices mean that fair trade and supply chain are not being considered.
- We recommend that you book with operators that belong to APTAE (Peruvian Association of Adventure and Ecotourism). This organization supports the fair treatment of people and communities involved in the supply chain of tourism. This includes suppliers of locally grown food as well as porters and staff for the trek itself. APTAE companies have joined together to ensure that staff are well-paid, that rules are heeded, and that resources are protected.
The following is a list of APTAE organizations that support the Inca Trail:
- Abercrombie & Kent
- Amazonas Explorer
- Apumayo Expeditions
- Braidy Wonders
- Condor Travel
- EcoInka
- Enigma
- Explorandes
- Grandes Aventuras del Peru
- Illa Yaku
- Intrepid Peru
- Inversiones Receptour
- Lima Tours
- Operador de Aventura Superior
- Pachatusantrek
- Peru Unique Destinations
- Pukupuku Travel
- Quechua Treks Peru
- Qinti Viajes
- South American Travel Services
- Terra Explorer
- Vamos Expeditions
- Viajes Pacifico
What kind of weather can I expect on the trek?
Weather by Season:
There will be a great deal of variation in weather as you are trekking through territory that contains many microclimates. When it’s sunny, you can quickly become very warm and start shedding layers. However, the sun may soon disappear behind some clouds, and you will have to put them back on. A beautiful sunny day can lead to a torrential downpour in the space of a few minutes. We suggest you be prepared with waterproof gear and footwear and include layers that can be adjusted as conditions shift.
The dry season is roughly April through early November. Expect temps to range from as low as 32 °F at night to 66 °F during the day. During the wet season, November through March, expect temperatures in the 60s during the day, 40s at night.
What should I wear for the trek?
It is highly recommended that you dress in layers that can be shed and added on as needed. This will help you address variations in temperature due to sun, clouds, rain, and wind. As we attain higher altitudes, the weather will become cooler. As we approach Machu Picchu on a long trail through the cloud forest, the humidity will also increase.
Here is a recommended packing list:
Windproof and waterproof jacket with a hood
5-6 pairs of undergarments
3-4 pairs thick hiking socks
2-3 pairs lighter socks for campsite use
Gaiters (optional) but serve as extra protection for legs to avoid scratches, rocks in shoes, etc.
Lightweight long-sleeved shirts (preferably breathable quick-dry material)
2 short sleeve and 3 long-sleeved shirts
Two or three pairs hiking pants, convertible with zip off legs are great
Leggings could also work as they are easy to layer under waterproof pants
Sunhat, earflap beanies, (waterproof) gloves, neck gaiter to protect your neck from the sun
Waterproof hiking boots that you have already broken in before your trip
Camp shoes or comfortable sandals for chilling at camp between walking stretches
Sports bras (2-3)
Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Water bottle
What equipment will the tour company provide for me?
In most cases, company personnel will provide everything necessary for a great time without the need to worry about equipment. They will likely carry your personal equipment, leaving you to carry only what you need to have at hand. This may include items such as your camera, rain jacket, sunblock, drinking water, etc.
Please do inquire at the time of your booking, because not all operators have the same policies. There may be extra charges for porter services that are not reflected in the published prices. The minimum tour operators ought to provide are a tent and sleeping pad. Do check about sleeping bags, as some companies provide them, but others may ask you to rent/ bring your own.
Ways of doing the Inca trail
Most operators provide the “classic” 4 day/ 3night trek. We at Explorandes do the trek in 5 days/ 4 nights. Here are the reasons we offer this product and why we believe it’s superior:
- The longer trek helps with the acclimatization process.
- We provide our own private campsite on the first day of the trek, with basic services. On the remaining nights we will make camp at sites that almost no one else uses. Therefore, we won’t find ourselves competing for a place among other campers.
- We time our trek so that we are walking behind most of the crowds. Consequently, we will not be exposed to around 95% of other trekkers doing the Inca Trail.
- We visit Machu Picchu on two separate days rather than only one. This will give us more time to explore and enjoy the site than most other tours provide.
- We avoid trekking at dawn and after dusk, as we consider that these times can be a bit dangerous.
March - December
5 days / 4 nights
April - October
12 days / 11 nights
March - December
5 days / 4 nights
March - October
7 days / 6 nights